Hi everyone. Just checking in to get more inspiration. I've been studying all day. I could study this information for a year full time - there's so much to learn. It's all about how to teach reading. There's been a lot of new research in the last few years - really interesting, wonderful, promising work. Teaching involves so many tasks that there's never time to think, plan, read. I hate that aspect of the job. I'd love it if I could teach from 8-12 every day and then study/plan/correct etc from 12-4. That would be a nice schedule and I'm sure I would feel more fufilled about my work.

Thanks for listening. Good eating day so far.

Breakfast/Lunch - nuts (400 - good brain food), smoothie (400)
Dinner plan????
exercise - exercising my right to vote!! I'll be there at 2:30. We're lucky that we have this right.

Take care.

p.s. Roll, I almost always grab a glass or bottle of water before I sit down to write on this thread.

Hello everyone,
Just checking in what a day!!!!!!!!!!!! Tired what grade do you teach? I worked for 10 years in Special Ed. as a Teaching Assistant. I loved it but found with my hubby becoming disabled that I needed to go back to school. So I did and got my degree in Human Services and as I've mentioned work with adults with special needs.
You have a very special job and I truly respect what you do. It is a lot of work but again very rewarding I am sure. Hope your resting?
Roll, sounds like your doing well keep up the good work!
Michele you still with us??????????? Hope so!
Today was very crazy not my average day. I had to help one of my guys deal with the unexpected death of his brother. My heart poured out to him and his family. I had to advocate for them to tell him. As I said we have to expect he knows and feels as everyone else. We can't short change him and who are we to think he doesn't understand. I think you need to treat everyone equal. Maybe not tell him all the details but not telling him and talking in front of him just doesn't cut it. Anyways it was a very emotional afternoon. The family has a lot of needs and I hope to help them out with somethings.
As for me well I didn't do too bad today. I started my day out of the house at 6:15 and went to vote. Then off to the gym to work out before going to the office. I enjoyed my workout it was quiet at the gym. I actually fit in 30 min. on the treadmill and 10 on machines with wts. I would like to go in the a.m. again.
Food intake: Breakfast = oatmeal w/ 2 T. dried cranberries, walnuts and equal, apple pie spices. It was good and I ate it at the office after my workout.
Lunch= salad with green, blue cheese, croutons few, 1/2 cuke, chickpeas and olive oil, vinegar and spices
Dinner= 1 polish sausage cooked in cooking spray with 1 oz of cheese melted in and jalopeno mustard
1 glass of apple cider
2 coffees
32 oz water at work
16 oz. water at home
How much intake of water should we drink girls?
Today seemed a bit easier than yesterday. I am not sure if it was just getting in the groove of things or the a.m. exercise. I surely can't take my country roads that early when the weather gets bad. We got 200 inches of snow last year, its not a misprint 200".
Carol

G,day all , hope your all well, OK I was gone a bit longer than planned , had to go to the doctors which is always so much fun about three years ago they took out a big chunk of my left nipple due to a tumor, now as a nice birthday pressie its back and they say they have to take the lot oh well at my age 46 and after 5 kids they sag and it is quite anoyying when you turn over in bed and they get caught under your arm also I look at it this way I loose a couple of lbs ENOUGH OF THE DOOM AND GLOOM, you all sound like you are doing very well , good to see you,ve all been sticking to the healthy eating most of the time I said when I was away I wanted to read positive things when I got back from what I,ve skimmed over , not bad but could be better JUST KIDDING, WELCOME CAROL AND MICHELLE , from what I have read you are both great additions I had a great time with my family and friends heading back on the 10th november the kids are taking me out for my birthday on the 11th should be fun . Well guess what I didn,t stick to my diet this last week but I still lost a lb, well just dropped in to say HI feeling a bit bushed so I will sign off for now BLESSED BE YOUR ALL S YOUR THERE WHEN I NEED YOU THE MOST BYE JULIE

Julie nice to meet you! My thoughts are with you spending time at the doctors is never much fun. I know I've been there a lot wit the hubby lately. Keep your chin up sounds like your family is supportive and thats important! I slept awful lots of tossing and turning. Between thinking about the election polls and my emergency on my caseload I was up at 5:30. Oh well at least I came up with some ideas of how to assist them with food etc...
I made my coffee and have planned my attack of the day. I have rearranged my schedule a bit with gas being so high and they only pay me 30 cents a mile I need to be creative. So I will be leaving at 7:30 today but the good news is I will end up on the right side of town to workout in the afternoon. I enjoyed my workout yesterday and its a great stress burner. Currently I am working on my grandson's little sweater I started a year ago. Then had carpel tunnel surgery in Jan. kind of slowed me down a bit. But if I have something to do with my hands I am not eatting. At this time of year there is always lots for me to do. I like to quilt, knit, sew, bake and cook. The baking gets me in trouble unless I get it right out of the house.
Tierd hope your feeling better. My oldest daughter had a stomach bug which went into a cold thing. She had it for a couple of weeks. Not so good!
My attack of the day:
Breakfast: 2 eggs cooked in spray, canadian bacon, cheese coffee
Snack: 1/2 large apple with peanut butter
Lunch: salad w/ tuna, lemon artichoke pesto, chick peas, little blue cheese and olive oil and vinegar few croutons
Dinner: not sure yet
workout: planned for the afternoon
water: 32oz. at work
Take care and have a great day!

Hi all. Welcome back Julie. I'm sorry to hear about the tumor returning - what a drag! You are a good sport to be able to joke about it. Know that I'm hear to listen. Great job loosing a pound - probably all that running around with the kids.

Carol - it does get easier each and every day that you stick to healthy eating. Your choices sound good and your workout sounds great. I can tell that you're a dedicated worker from your stories. How touching. Keep up the good work.

I had a good eating day today.
breakfast - skipped - running late as I stayed up too late watching the election results (2am!)
lunch - salad with egg salad and a few croutons (I don't even think about salad dressing anymore) 400
snack - 1/2 cup nuts - 400 (I was rushing and needed something to fill me up)
second snack - yummy comforting decaf tea
dinner - I haven't decided yet - I'm so tired I just want to go to bed. Take care.

G,day everyone hope your all well, its good to see your all eating well and HEALTHY, keep it up stay focused we can all do this wills and minds lead to well toned bodies am I boring yet , thanks for the kind words TIRED your thoughts are most welcome, I find if I joke about things it helps I never take myself to seriously, lifes to short for that , and the Gods never send me more than I can handle but lately I think they think my shoulders are a little broader than they really are anyway I,ve had a good day I don,t have much of an appetite die to medication but I managed something.

BREAKFAST/ CUP OF BLACK TEA SLICE OF FRUIT TOAST 150 CALS
LUNCH/ STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE 300 CALS
DINNER / PASTA WITH A STIR THROUGH TOMATO SAUCE 300 CALS
A BIT ON THE LOW SIDE IN THE CALS DEPARTMENT BUT NOT TO BAD
Well I,m off feeling a bit tired so I catch up with you all later , its good to have you aboard Carol and Michelle with so much inspiration its so HEY ROLL these darn smilies get addictive s , anyway be good stay focused to all BLESSED BE JULIE

Hello All,

I haven't been posting as much as I'd like. I've been tracking my food and my calorie and fat counts have been okay but I haven't been eating enough vegetables and fruits and my water intake..............
Julie, I'm so sorry to hear that your tumor returned. You know that whatever you are feeling on any given day, that you are welcome to share here. I know a good attitude is helpful and important and that sometimes a good pity party is helpful as well. I'm sending much love your way.
Carol, you're doing great! I'm inspired when you talk about exercise. I still haven't made it to the gym. Well, here's my food report for the day

breakfast asparagus, bleu cheese and mozzerella

snackcelery and peanut butter

lunch salad w/ walnuts and bleu cheese dressing

dinner small burrito w/ beans, fish and chipotle salsa

all together = 1300

I haven't gained. I'm happy with that.
Well, girls, when you hit 50 the doctor orders a routine colonoscopy. I'm going in for one next week. Whooopppeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The bad news is that the gastroenterologist (I KNOW I misspelled that one) is really really cute.

I got a new washing machine today and I've been spending time sitting next to it while it runs. Does this sound like a cry for help, or what?

Well, I'm going to visit my new best friend now, my appliance. I have 2 weeks of laundry to catch up on. How's your cold, Tired? Sounds like you're kicking it's butt. Good for you. Aren't you curious about what you weigh now? How long has it been? Good night all. Take good care. Thanks for all the support.

HI S, last check in for the day thanks for all the support it sounds genuine and sincere and I appreciate that I,m feeling positive today, as I,ve told you guys before I talk to spirits I had a long talk to my dad today, yeah I know I,m weird but I,m unique too anyway he said I,m gonna lick this hicup I,m going through at the moment and I,ll come through with flying colours ,ROLL your right attitude is helpful and important, but pity when not seen as pity but actual caring is more powerful as for exercise you could always sit on your new washer jiggling might help I hope all goes well with your test what a bummer no pun intended that the gastro whatever guy is cute , he,ll see you in all your glory, well I,m off for a decaf of course and I,ll catch you all later BLESSED BE JULIE

Julie I love your sense of humor and as far as talking to spirits its your right girl! I think its cool and if your one of those lucky people who are able to get contact go for it. I miss my grandparents very much and would love to get a response back when I talk to them. Never worry about what you say your words are always welcomed.
Rollmdl oh didn't get to the gym I had to go to the other side of the city at the end of the day to pick up hubby's MRI scan. But I did go christmas shopping for a bit. Just bought a some bags for presents etc.. fun stuff
Tired are you feeling better? Hope so! I am trying and even with a few slips I must be better than last week.
Dinner: Clam chower I figured in about 400 cal w, my 3 melba garlic toast?
Snack: grandson gave me a snicker bar snack size 100 cal?
Oh at any rate my day ended at about 1500 cal.
I have been trying to eat healthier , watch carbs, fats but when it comes down to it I think the overall calorie count must be the answer?
I will add in later my intake for today. Gotta go get dressed and take the hubby to the MDA clinic first time there. God only knows how long it will be so I ate oatmeal so it will stick to my ribs. Planning on working out later on at the gym stress relief will be in need!
carol
Yesterday I slipped up when my can of cashews spilled and I ate a few to many when sticking them back in the can.
ooops!
Thats what happens when you shop and haven't eatten.

Well,
I ate 3 cups of buttered popcorn last night by accident. I was still under my calorie limit but popcorn is a food that triggers binge eating for me. Doesn't feel right. My first inclination is to withhold my having eaten it. It was after I had posted my food. I'm just looking at that thinking process. I think that's why I need to post this and talk about it. It's that perfectionism showing it's ugly head. When I eat something that I've deemed "bad food" I figure I've blown it and I might as well eat whatever, and as much as, I want. Well, I'm not doing that now AND I didn't go wild last night. It's just that because of my past behaviors, I get scared when I eat something that I've determined is off limits. I know that there are no bad foods, it's just that certain foods do set off cravings for me and sugar really messes with my constitution.

Thanks for listening to this. What do you charge? $110.00 a fifty minute hour? The check is in the mail.

So, onward and upward.
breakfast--one sausage 2 scrambled eggs
snack-- mandarin orange
lunch----fresh tuna and edamame

dinner--- homemade chicken vegetable soup w/ pine nuts and mozzarella cheese
after dinner snack-- small smoothie

I just went to fill my water bottle so I could drink it while writing, thanks to you, Tired. I'd heard somewhere that tying desired healthy habits to other routines is a good technique for inforcing new habits. This is a good one. Thanks for the suggestion.
Carol, something that was helpful to me was to compare my eating today with my eating a few months ago. I ate with no regard to how much fat, calories and especially quantity I was taking in. My diet was also incredibly unbalanced. There has been such a shift for me, posting and tracking my food on fitday. On days when I think I've done less than great, I see that, in fact, I've stayed within my limits. I'm less vague about what I'm putting into my mouth. A "bad" day now, is SO much better than a bad day before I started posting to this thread. Posting here has been such an amazing support. It helps me to be as kind to myself as you people are to me.
Julie, I love your new icon. Thanks for the tip about the jiggling washing machine, I'm sure there are plenty of functions it could serve me being single and all. Okay, sorry, I couldn't help my bad self.
I've had 16 oz. of water while writing this.


Have a good day. Thanks for being here.

S, hope your all well , how are you feeling these days TIRED not to bad I hope, HI CAROL I was on weight watchers the points plan but I,ve gone back to cal counting, I find if I know exactly what amount I eat, it helps to keep me focused but everyone has things that work best for them all the best for you and your husband and remember support is always at hand OOOOH ROLL you little thats exactly where my mind was when I mentioned the washer, great minds think alike and as for the popcorn its a good healthy snack BUT WITHOUT THE BUTTER you all seem to be staying on track with your eating plans, remember everything is allowed but in moderation, if I feel like a QUARTER POUNDER MEAL from MACCA,S I remind myself that it will add up to my whole cals for the day , so do I really need it and go hungry for the rest of the day SOMETIMES IT WORKS, HEY I,m only human I have been known to give in with alot of arm twisting NOT EXERCISE well I try to do 30mins on the indoor bike everyday but I just don,t have the energy at the moment CAROL I thought I,M LIVING and the CATWOMAN, were more positive for me at the moment rather than SCARED OF QUITTING a cat has 9 lives so I thought maybe I could borrow 1.
BREAKFAST / decaf and an apple 100cals
LUNCH / PLAN A TUNA SALAD AND ICED WATER 250CALS
DINNER / HOMEMADE CURRIED CHICKEN WITHOUT THE SKIN, LOTS OF VEGES
SW/ 172
CW/ 167
GW/ 132

Hi all, I love to hear all your thinking, ideas, etc. even the "naughty" ones - it makes smile and feel so a part of a wonderful, fun loving, spiritual group of women. Keep it up. Julie, I love your humor. Roll, I love the way you think about why you eat. Carol, you're so supportive. That's the power for me - trying to figure out what triggers bad eating. I, too, have food that triggers binge eating. Measuring my food has helped me. Also waiting a little while after I eat something like nuts knowing that in a short time I'll feel full. I read a really good diet article in a magazine last night (I'll give you the name later as the magazine is upstairs and everyone needs me here) which stated that eating yogurt, 1% milk, nuts, eggs, pb, etc. The article also talked a lot about how good smoothies are for you (with the right ingredients).

Fairly good eating day.
breakfast - smoothie - (500)
lunch - salad with turkey (300)
snack - 1/4 cup of nuts (200)
dinner - pasta/broccoli, parmesean cheese, carrot sticks (500)
dessert - strawberry smoothie (frozen strawberries and seltzer - really yummy and low cal) (about 50-75)
total about 1600 give or take a little (I'm rounding my calories off now since I find that I'm getting really good at eating the right amounts and not worried about every little calorie.

Yes, I'm really curious about my weight since it's been about a month. I know it's lower but probably not by much since I'm not down a size. I guess weighing myself would inspire me, perhaps I'll get there this weekend. My workload is unbelievable - seriously, I've never had this much work to do but I know it's only a couple months until it's over. Thanks for listening to me complain. Feel free to just skip over any parts about the course - I just need to vent.

Hello every one! Oh it was a really hard day today but I kept my eating going okay. Very stressful the doctors said so much and of course nothing very good at all. They talk in circles and I didn't care for the main doctor. I thought they really were going to help us with finding a diagnois all they did was discourage both of us. I really started to lose it but then got it together and at least pushed DNA testing. The disease is Neuro. not muscular. So MDA said it doesn't come under their heading and wouldn't even guide us to what to really do next. I was really angry and upset. I worry about my hubby, kids and grandkids and future kids. We need to figure out what kind of disease this is so we can deal with it. Oh well thats enough of this I will be strong and deal with it all. I have already made steps to go forward in figuring it out.
Well back to food! I normally would of lost control totally but today I needed some control somewhere. So I tried to eat well and went to work out to rid myself of some stress. 45 min. =workout 25 w/treadmill 20 wt.resistance
Intake: breakfast oatmeal w/ dried cranberries 1 T. , spices and walnuts 1 raisin toast
Lunch: clam chowder w/ fresh brocc.
Dinner: 4 greek olives w/garlic cloves
hamburger grilled w/ blue cheese
1 slice whole wt.
Snacks: 6 melba garlic toast w/ 50%f.f. cheese
6 dried apricots
Treat: 1 raspberry latte made w/ skim milk
Rollwdl: Oh I like popcorn too! I have tried to use Pam butter flavor spray and sprinkle garlic powder and a little parm. cheese . Its pretty good. The hubby loves reg. butter and lots of salt!!!!!!!!!!!! But he needs the wt......
Julie thanks for your kind words your all great ! Together we all will do well. Support and friends you can't have enough of either.
Tired: Thanks for the info. I have a smoothie machine but no real recipes. Any info. would be helpful. I never have gotten into counting calories but have been this week. I find it helpful and it seems to give me more variety of things to eat? Doesn't that sound crazy! Oh maybe I am losing it. After today its possible. I did think of opening a bottle of wine but decided to save it. Maybe a glass on friday would be good. Back to work friday. I'd like to say it was a nice day off but it wasn't reall fun. I could of never returned to work today.
Have a nice evening and I have ck'd in on fitday.com tracking my wt. and checking cal.

S, G,day just dropped in for a mag, really ed at the moment, so I thought I,d come here instead of devouring a packet of chips , CAROL I hope you get some positive input regarding your hubby soon , you sound very frustrated at the moment TIRED don,t you ever stop I,m sure when its all done it will have been worth while , your right I,ve got an article in the Australian Slimming mag that say,s smoothies are good for your health when made with healthy goodies, at the moment there good for me, I try to eat food but at the moment its hard to keep things down , so if I make myself a small smoothie with fruit yoghurt and skim milk I,m finding that helps, and you complain all you like its better than keeping it inside causes wrinkles and don,t we have enough to deal with anywho I,ve raved on enough time to go and make a catch up with you all later be good, BLESSED BE

Hi all! I've been MIA the last 2 days b/c I have been eating like a pig out of hormonal surges & I'm so mad at myself that I refused to write down the sweets that I ate. That's stupid b/c I still know what I ate! I have at least managed to get my behind on the treadmill for 20 minutes a day, but I am still really frustrated with my eating. I really think I may need to do something like WW & get some type of plan/schedule around my eating. I think I could handle WW online, but I'm not ready to do live & in-person quite yet. Is there anything out there other than WW that anyone would like to recommend? I talked to DH about WW online & he wasn't Mr. Supportive. This is the same guy who has gone to a personal trainer 3x a week for the past 2 years & then decided he wanted to really lose some weight, went low-carb & dropped 30 pounds, just like that. Yes, I am jealous that it came so easy to him once he made up his mind. Okay, so today is a new day -right?
Breakfast: 1/4 bowl cream of wheat (I have nothing in the house to eat!!!)
glass of milk
Now I'm off to walk on the treadmill & get the girls dressed. Bad mama is letting her kids run around in pj's well past morning time.